RACING NEWS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25303, 13 August 1943, Page 2

RACING NEWS

By Sentinel Alpine ran in the middle of the field in the Avonhead Handicap after losing his place from No. 2 at the barrier. He failed to get near the money at the finish, but may be improved by the race. Boloyna bsars an improved appearance and may show a return to winning form in the Islington Handicap. He is not meeting Donnybrook Fair on much better terms than when the latter beat him in the Winter Cup. Big Top was putting in good work at the finish of the Cashmere Plate, which he won with 8.11 in lmin 17 4-ssec. The Paparua Handicap was won by Foxhaven with 3.0 in lmin 16 2-ssec,- and the comparison makes Big Top a fairly useful sort.

Some trainers apparently hold the opinion that a horse cannot receive an overdose of schooling. Although Dozie Boy safely negotiated the Riccarton fences in the Grand National Steeplechase he was schooled over a couple of fences on the following Tuesday. After a strenuous race over country a horse would derive more benefit from an easy time on the tracks.

Justitia ran two seconds at the Riccarton autumn meeting, and her trackwork, in addition to form, gave her a chance in the Cashmere Plate. She was balloted out of the field, but is engaged in the Woolston Handicap. Justitia ran second to Prudentia in the Courtenay Handicap, won in lmin 25 3-ssec, and second to Foxleap in the Yaldhurst Handicap, won in lmin 26 l-ssec, and Prudentia won again in the Gimcrack Handicap. On this form Justitia should shape well in the Woolston Handicap. Justitia galloped well at Riccarton yesterday morning. When Town Survey won the Great Northern Hurdles he carried 9.1 J and beat Colibri 9.9 and Renascor 10.5. Talenta 9.9 was among the unplaced lot. Town Survey won the Winter Hurdles at Trentham with 10.0 from Authoress 9.12 and Talenta 10.1. Native Chief 10.10, Colibri 10.3 (lost rider), Renascor 10.3, Black Musk 10.1, Young Charles 9.12, and Rich Blood 9.0 were unplaced. On his win in tile Great Northern Hurdles Town Survey has been sent up 24Jlb, and on his win at Trentham meets Talenta on 111 b, Native Chief on 141 b, Colibri on 121 b, Renascor on 141 b, Black Musk on 131 b, Young Charles on 141 b, and Rich Blood on 121 b worse terms. Town Survey’s winning form last season included a win in the Islington Handicap at Ellerslie over a mile, with 7.7, in lmin 40 4-ssec, on a slow track, so that he has more than ordinary pace for a hurdler.

When anything likely to jeopardise a horse’s chance occurs at the start or during the running of a race it calls for comment. On the first day at Riccarton the field for the Winter Cup was kept at the post for some considerable time owing to Foxbrae's continued refusal to line up to the barrier. This tended to upset others in the field, but in some cases the movement helped to keep them comparatively warm, whilst others were standing flatfoot during the delay. Such a state of affairs is bad enough in summer, but on a cold, wintry day it does anything but help the horses standing flatfoot to jump away smartly at the start. A starter has unlimited power once a field comes under his control, and he should not hold up a large field for a most important race because one horse makes repeated refusals to come into line. Platform is favourite for the Islington Handicap as a result of his wins at Wingatui and Trentham, followed by a good display over six furlongs in the Paparua Handicap. He won under a light weight at Wingatui, and on that form meets Bashful Lady on 9Jlb, Kevin on 17Jlb, and Palfrey on 17Jlb worse terms. The figures give Kevin a good chance. On form in the Parliamentary Handicap Platform meets Fiddlers’ Green on 91b and Fairy Bard on 111 b worse terms. Platform carried 8.9 in the Paparua Handicap and was putting up a strong finish, suggesting that he would be a winner over more ground In the Islington Handicap he will be meeting a field of better stayers, but nevertheless holds a fair chance of adding to his previous successes. Platform worked well yesterday morning.